Oct. 16--Keys to the American League Championship Series between the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays:
Last meeting, Royals' starter Edinson Volquez plunked Josh Donaldson. The benches cleared and Volquez would say Donaldson "was crying like a baby." Whose style will win? The Royals pitch and run: Lorenzo Cain recently scored from first on a single in 9.3 seconds. They've scored 25 postseason runs.
The Blue Jays pitch and mash: Jose Bautista's recent bat flip may still be airborne. They've scored 26 postseason runs. Toronto won the season series 4-3. They'll likely start off with ace David Price. Kansas City's ace Johnny Cueto pitched Wednesday and needs rest, but don't shed a tear -- Volquez will start Game 1.
Pick: Blue Jays in six.
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Schedule
Game 1: Friday, 5 p.m.
Toronto (Estrada, 13-8, 3,13) at Kansas City (Volquez, 13-9, 3.55)
Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Toronto (Price, 18-5, 2.45) at Kansas City (Ventura, 13-8, 4.08)
Game 3: Monday, 4:30 p.m.
Kansas City (Cueto, 11-13, 3.44) at Toronto (Stroman, 4-0, 1.67)
Game 4: Tuesday, TBA
Kansas City (TBA) at Toronto (Dickey, 11-11, 3.91)
Game 5: Wednesday, TBA*
Kansas City (TBA) at Toronto (TBA)
Game 6: Oct. 23, TBA*
Toronto (TBA) at Kansas City (TBA)
Game 7: Oct. 24, TBA*
Toronto (TBA) at Kansas City (TBA)
*-if necessary -- All times PDT
TV: Game 1 on Ch. 11; all others on FS1.
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Projected lineups
TORONTO
Pos. -- Player -- Avg. -- HR -- RBI
LF -- Ben Revere -- .306 -- 2 -- 45
3B -- Josh Donaldson -- .297 -- 41 -- 123
RF -- Jose Bautista -- .250 -- 40 -- 114
DH -- Edwin Encarnacion -- .277 -- 39 -- 111
SS -- Troy Tulowitzki -- .280 -- 17 -- 70
1B -- Justin Smoak -- .226 -- 18 -- 59
C -- Russell Martin -- .240 -- 23 -- 77
2B -- Ryan Goins -- .250 -- 5 -- 45
CF -- Kevin Pillar -- .278 -- 12 -- 56
KANSAS CITY
Pos. -- Player -- Avg. -- HR -- RBI
SS -- Alcides Escobar -- .257 -- 3 -- 47
2B -- Ben Zobrist -- .276 -- 13 -- 56
CF -- Lorenzo Cain -- .307 -- 16 -- 72
1B -- Eric Hosmer -- .297 -- 18 -- 93
DH -- Kendrys Morales -- .290 -- 22 -- 106
3B -- Mike Moustakas -- .284 -- 22 -- 82
C -- Salvador Perez -- .260 -- 21 -- 70
LF -- Alex Gordon -- .271 -- 13 -- 48
RF -- Alex Rios -- .255 -- 4 -- 32
